Sanyo PLC-XD2200 DLP Projector – Performance

Posted on May 24, 2010 By Art Feierman

Brightness

The PLC-XD2200 is rated at 2200 lumens. Using the High lamp setting (more about that later), in Dynamic image mode (the brightest), we measured 1722 lumens at mid-zoom range. As you might expect from a 1.2X zoom, the output showed little variation throughout the zoom range. At full wide zoom (again in Dynamic mode), we got 1741 lumens and at full telephoto zoom it was virtually the same as mid-zoom, at 1723 lumens. All further measurements were taken at the mid-zoom point. Using Standard mode, the output dropped to 1553 lumens, which was also the starting point for any of the four user-savable Image modes. Real mode, which we used for video evaluation, came in at only a slightly lower 1399 lumens. Blackboard mode came in at 1568 lumens. The four Colorboard modes were all within 200 lumens of each other, with Blue the brightest at 1506 lumens, Green next at 1476, Red at 1430 and Yellow bringing up the rear at 1322 lumens.

In a departure from most multimedia projectors, Sanyo provides three lamp modes (High, Standard and Eco), rather than the usual two. Changing the lamp from High to Standard brightness mode resulted in a drop of about 15% (from 1722 to 1476). Going from Standard to Eco mode resulted in an additional drop of 24% (from 1476 to 1122). This results in quite a large drop from the brightest mode to the Eco mode (35%), which is much greater than most projectors in this class. As even the brightest mode doesn’t come close to the rated output, this makes Eco mode of questionable value for presentation use in anything but a light-controlled room. Also, although the PLC-XD2200 has a rated lamp life of 6000 hours in Eco lamp mode, there is no accompanying ratings for Standard or High lamp mode, so there’s no way of knowing what kind of lamp life you’ll get in what would likely be the PLC-XD2200’s most used modes.

Networking

Connecting the PLC-XD2200 to a computer network via its RJ-45 jack permits remote management and control of the projector. The user can also check the lamp hours as well as enable warning notifications by email. As an IP address is set for each projector, multiple projectors can be connected to the network and controlled via a web browser by any computer on the network as well.

Audible Noise

Much like the issue mentioned above with the rated lamp life, Sanyo only provides a noise level rating for the PLC-XD2200 in Eco lamp mode. This noise level (29 dB) is typical for projectors in the PLC-XD2200’s class. Subjectively, this rating seems about right and Standard mode is not obtrusively louder. However, in High lamp mode, the PLC-XD2200’s fan noise is quite high. Combine this level of noise with the meager one watt of built-in speaker power and it’s unlikely that you’d ever be able to use the built-in sound with High lamp mode. This would necessitate the purchase of additional powered speakers if you have a presentation with sound.